Apparatus for forming workpieces



March 6, 1962 c, E. BAWTINHEIMER 3,023,647

APPARATUS FOR FORMNG WORKPIECES 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 18, 1958 Ll@@nu 006 INVENTOR.

CHARLS E BAWUNHHMER March 6, 1962 c. E. BAWTINHEIMER 3,023,647

APPARATUS FOR FoRMNG woRKPIEcEs 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 18, 1958INVENTOR.

CHARLES E EAW-Y \N EWNER BY ff/M, M4 1 WM United States atent 3,923,647APPARATUS FR FORMIN G vi/ORKPHECES Charles E. Bawtinhemer, 2469 BammanDrive, Midland, Mich. Filed July 18, 1958, Ser. No. 749,496 Claims. (Cl.77-32.2)

This invention relates to apparatus for forming workpieces in strictaccordance with a preformed model or pattern and more particularly theinvention pertains to apparatus for use in drilling linger holes inbowling balls at such locations and of such configuration that thedrilled holes will conform to the span and normal curvature of the usersngers.

Most of the bowling balls currently in use are provided with lingerholes which are drilled straight into the ball and with diameters toaccommodate the thumb and one or more other ngers of a users hand.Bowling balls formed in this manner are rather dimcult to use with anygreat degree of control inasmuch as the ball must be supported solely bythe pressure exerted by squeezing the thumb and fingers towards oneanother. The difficulties inherent in bowling balls formed in thedescribed manner have been recognized heretofore and various proposalshave been made to overcome them. For example, it has been proposed thatrubber or the like pads be inserted in the finger holes to provide for amore secure grip and some of these pads have been shaped to approximatethe curvature of the users lingers. More frequently, the bowling ballusers will coat their fingers with a chalk or rosin substance whereasothers attempt to obtain a form-fitting grip by whittling the fingerholes in a bowling ball. It also has been proposed to form the ngerholes of a bowling ball along the arc of a circle, thereby approximatingto some extent the natural curvature of a users fingers. The difficultywith this particular construction, however, is that it, like thestraight hole method, forms holes in a bowling ball which onlyapproximate the spacing or span of a prospective users fingers.

Ideally, a bowling ball should have its finger holes spaced according tothe spacing of the intended users fingers and of a diameter toaccommodate the fingers freely, and the holes should be formed on acurvature corresponding to the natural curvature of the users ngers.Such a bowling ball naturally would fit the users hand better, provide abetter grip, and enable the user to have more control over the ballinasmuch as there would be less chance of the ball slipping from hisgrasp prior to the time he intended to release it.

Another object of the invention is to provide apparatus for forminglinger holes in a bowling ball corresponding to the spacing andconfiguration of the users fingers.

A further object of the invention is to provide apparatus of the kindreferred to which is capable of forming a workpiece such as a bowlingball in strict accordance with a preformed pattern or model,

A still further object of the invention is to provide apparatus of thekind described which is capable of drilling not only curved,form-fitting finger holes in bowling balls, but also is capable ofdrilling straight holes when desired.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be pointed outspecifically or will become apparent from the following description whenit is considered in conjunction with the appended claims and theaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE l is a fragmentary, diagrammatic view illustrating the manner offorming linger holes in a pattern or model bowling ball;

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary side-elevational view of apparatus formed inaccordance with the invention;

"ice

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged, fragmentary, partly sectional view of a portionof the apparatus shown in FIG- URE 2;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged, fragmentary, front elevational view of a detailof the apparatus shown in FIG- URE 2;

FIGURE 5 is a partly sectional view of a bowling ball formed inaccordance with the invention;

FIGURE 6 is a wiring diagram for a portion of the apparatus; and

FIGURE 7 is a wiring diagram for another part of the apparatus.

Apparatus constructed in accordance with the invention is illustrated inFIGURE 2 as comprising a base 1 having its upper surface slotted as at 2to receive a slide 3 which is slideable back and forth in a horizontalplane between dovetail guides 4 provided on the base. The supportingplate 3 is of less width than the base 1 and may be secured in aselected position of adjustment relative to the base 1 by means of anumber of set screws 5, two of which are shown in FIGURE 2. Connected bymeans of bolts 6 to opposite ends of the base 1 are two pairs ofsupporting arms 7, each of the supporting arms being provided with axlesor shafts 8 on which are rotatably journaled rollers 9, the rollers oneach of the arms 7 being vertically spaced from one another. Above thelevel of the base 1 is located a supporting plate 11 having a laterallyextending ange 12 at its opposite ends which is received between therollers 9 so as to be supported thereby for to and fro movements in ahorizontal plane parallel to the plane of movement of the slide 3.

Adjacent to each of the four corners of the slide 3 is provided ajournal block 13 in which is rotatably mounted a shaft 14 which isthreaded at its upper end as indicated at 15. The upper, threaded end ofeach of the shafts 14 extends through a threaded opening formed in amounting platform 16, and each of the projecting ends of the shafts 14is provided with a sprocket Wheel 17 around which is trained a sprocketchain 1S. The platform 16 is so mounted that it is horizontal, but iscapable of movement in a vertical plane upon rotation of the shaft 14.

Means is provided for rotating the shafts 14 and comprises an electricmotor 19 which may be mounted on the slide 3 adjacent to one of theshafts 14. The armature shaft 2t) of the motor has fixed thereto a bevelgear 21 which meshes with a similar gear 22 fixed on the adjacent shaft14. The `arrangement is such that operation of the motor `19 will causerotation of the adjacent shaft 14 and the rotation of the one shaft 14will be transmitted to each ofthe others via the sprocket wheels 17 andthe chains 18 so as to cause movement of the platform 16 up or down,depending on the direction of drive of the motor 19.

The mounting platform 16 is provided with a pair of openings in each ofwhich is fixed a bushing 23 by means of which a pair of shafts 24 and 25are rotatably supported on the platform 16. Each of the shafts 24 and 25may carry at its upper end a sprocket wheel 26 and 27, respectively,around which is trained a sprocket chain 2S, and the shaft 25 may beprovided with a bevel gear 29 fixed at its upper end in a position tomesh with a similar gear 30 fixed to the armature shaft 31 of anelectric motor 32 supported on the platform 16. The arrangement is suchthat operation of the motor 32 will cause rotation of the shaft 2S androtation of the latter shaft will be transmitted to the shaft 24 via thesprocket wheels 26, 27 and the chain 28.

Fixed to the lower end of the shaft 25 is a yoke 33 (see FIGURE 4)having a pair of spaced apart arms 34, each of which is provided with anopening adapted to receive a stub shaft 35. Corresponding ends of eachstub shaft are fixed to a mounting harness 35 comprising a pair ofspaced side arms 37 interconnected at corresponding ends by a transversebar 38 and being rigidly connected at their opposite ends to a plate 39having a centrally located opening 48 therein. rihe distance between theplate 39 and the transverse bar 33 is such as to accommodate a workpiecesuch as a bowling ball blank B therebetween, but the diameter of theopening di) is less than the diameter of the blank B so as to preventthe latter from falling through the opening. The crossbar` 33 of theharness is provided with a threaded opening through which extends `athreaded shaft 41 having a clamping block 42 at its lower end shaped tocorrespond to the curvature of the blank B and adapted to bear againstthe latter to clamp the blank firmly in the plate opening 4d. The upperend of the shaft 41 may be provided with a crank or handle 43 tofacilitate turning the shaft.

The connection of the harness 36 to the yoke 33 is such that thehardness and the blank carried thereby are rotatable about a horizontalaxis corresponding to the axis of the stub shafts 35. In order todetermine the angular position of the harness, one of the shafts 35 mayhave fixed thereto a protractor 44 having a scale 45 inscribed thereonadapted to be read in conjunction with a pointer 46 fixed on theadjacent yoke arm 34. To tix the harness in a selected position ofadjustment, the arm 34 of the yoke may be provided with a bracket 47 inwhich is adjustably mounted a set screw 48 that is adapted to bearagainst the protractor 44.

The shaft 24 is provided with a pattern or model supporting apparatussimilar to the workpiece supporting apparatus just described andcorresponding elements of the model supporting apparatus are numberedthe same as the elements of the workpiece supporting apparatus,

but followed by the letter a. The difference between the two supportingdevices is that the stub shafts 35a, instead of being fixed to a harnesssuch as the harness 36, may be screwed or otherwise secured to amounting board or panel 148 on which a model `or pattern M is secured.

The model or pattern M comprises a hemispherical mass of initiallyworkable but hardenable material such as wax, putty, plaster of Paris,or the like, which may be clamped or fixed in any suitable manner to themounting board 148. To form the model, the mass of material, in asemiplastic state, is supported on a table 49 or the like and the userfor whom a bowling ball is to be made inserts a desired nurnber of hisfingers into the mass to form finger holes therein. The user works hisfingers in the mass to form holes of the desired shape and configurationand conforming substantially to the normal span and configuration of thelusers fingers. Thereafter, the mass of material may be permitted toharden, whereupon the model M may besupported on its supportingapparatus in the manner shown in FIGURE 2.

On the upper surface of the supporting plate 11 is fixed a'pair ofmounting brackets 51 and 52, `the spacing between themcorresponding'substantially tothe spacing between the shafts 24 and 25.On the bracket 51 is supported an electric motor 52a having leads 53 and54 connected through a switch (not shown) to a suitable source ofelectric energy. The armature shaft 55 of the motor is directed upwardlytowards the bowling ball blank B and is fitted at its upper end with acutting toolV 56 of a suitable kind capable of boring into the blank. v

On the bracket S2 is fixed in any suitable manner a tab or ear S7 towhich is pivotally connected, by means of a pin 58, one end `of a feeleror follower device 59. The device 59 comprises a rod 6) which receivesat its Vupper end a Vsocket member 61 formed at the lower end of a knobV62 the same size and shape as the tool 56. At the lbase pf Vthe socketformed in 4the socket member 61V is a normally closed switch havingblades 63 and 64 and adapted to be opened upon telescoping movement ofthe arm et) and the socket member 61 by engagement with a post 65 formedat the upper end of the arm 60 and projecting towards the switch blade53. vThe blade 63 and the post 55 normally are maintained out ofengagement by means of a spring 6e which is interposed between the upperend of the arm 60 and the base of the socket formed in the socket member61.

Also mounted on the supporting bracket 52 is a vertical post 67 to whichis secured one end of a tension spring 68, the other end of the latterbeing fastened to an eye 69 fixed on the rod 69. The arrangement is suchthat the follower device normally is urged to rock about the axis of thepin 58 in a clockwise direction, as viewed in FIG- URE 2, and the extentof clockwise rocking movement of the device 59 is limited by a stopmember 7 (i mounted on the bracket 52 in a position between the device59 and the post 67.

As has been pointed out earlier, the supporting plate il is mounted forto and fro movement between the several pairs of rollers 9. Means isprovided for effecting to and fro movements or" the member 11 and theparts supported thereby and comprises a reversible, D.C. motor 7imounted on the base 1 and having its armature shaft 72 connected to acoupling 73 which also is connected to a driving shaft 74 forming partof a gear reduction mechanism '75 of known construction and supportedalso on the base 1. The gear reduction mechanism includes a driven shaft76 which is threaded as indicated at 77 and which extends through athreaded opening 78 `formed in the supporting member 11. The arrangementis such that operation of the motor 71 will cause the supporting platel1 and its associated parts to be moved to the left or to the right, asviewed in FIGURE 2, depending upon the direction or" rotation of themotor.

The invention includes means for actuating the motor 7 i and preferablycomprises a light reflective device such as a mirror 79 rigidlyconnected to the follower arm 66 and arranged to receive a beam of lightdirected from a lamp 8G or similar device through a lens 81 and retiectit in the general direction of a pair of spaced apart photoelectriccells 82 and 83. The construction and arrangement of the motor actuatingmechanism are such that, when the follower device S9 is in a verticalposition, the light beam reected by the mirror 79 passes between thephotoelectric cells 82 and 83 so that no more light falls on one than onthe other. Y

The photoelectric cells 82 and 83 form part of a circuit illustrated inFIGURE 6. Other elements of the circuit include a pair of triodeelectron tubes 84 and 84a and the motor 71. The circuit derives itsenergy from one or more transformers, preferably one, but for purposesof illustration the circuit is disclosed as including four primarytransformer windings P-1, P-Z, P-3 and P4. Associated with the primarywinding P-1 is a secondary winding S1 connected at one of its ends to awire 85 which is connected to one of the terminals of the photoelectriccell 82 and also to one of the terminals of the motor 71. The otherterminal of the transformer winding S-1 is connected through a resistor86 to a line 87 which is connectedto the other terminal of thephotoelectric cell 82 and to the grid S8 of the triode 84. The plate S9of theY tube 84 is connected by a wire 90 to one side of a secondarywinding S-Z associated with the primary winding P-Z; the other side ofthe winding S-Z being connected toa wire 91 which leads to one end of asecondary winding S-3 and which also is connectedto one terminal of thephotoelectric cell 83, the cathode 92 of the tube 84a, and to theremaining terminal of the motor 71. From the other terminal of the.secondary winding S-3 extends a line 93 which is, connected through aresistor 94 to a terminal of the photoelectricV cell 83 and to the grid95 of the tube 84a. The plate 96 of the tube 8,5 is connected by a wire97 to one terminal of the secondary winding S-4, the other terminal ofwhich is Vconnected to the wire 35. The wire S5, as is shown in FIGURE6, also is connected to the cathode 92a of the tube 84. The terminals ofthe motor 71 are bridged by a wire 98 in which is located a capacitor99. Also included as part of the electrical circuit shown in FIG- URE 6is a constantly excited field winding 100 for the D.C. motor 71. Theapparatus shown in FIGURE 6 is essentially a pair of interconnectedrectifier circuits arranged to balance one another except during certainconditions yet to be explained. If necessary or desired, suitableamplication stages may be incorporated in the circuit between thephotocells and the motor 71.

Another part of the electrical apparatus is disclosed in FIGURE 7 ascomprising a wire 101 leading from the motor 19 through a push buttonswitch 102 to a source of energy such as 110 volt A.C. From the otherterminal of the motor 19 leads a wire 103 which is connected to themovable switch blade 63 to the source of energy.

To condition the apparatus for operation, the model M having preformedfinger openings 50 therein is mounted on the stub shafts 35a of themodel supporting shaft 24. Thereafter, the slide 3, the supporting plate11, the supporting platform 16 and the backing member 148 are adjustedrelatively to one another so that the knob 62 of the follower device 59enters one of the preformed finger openings 50 and bears against one ofthe walls of the opening in such manner that the arm 60 is located in avertical position. Simultaneously, the bowling ball blank B is insertedin its harness 36 and the latter adjusted to the same angularity as themodel mounting plate 148, as is determined by the positions of theprotractors 45 and 45a. In these conditions of the parts, the cuttingtool S6 will be in a position to bear against the surface of the blank Bto bore an opening in the latter.

When the apparatus has been conditioned in the manner described, themotor 52a may be started to drive the cutting tool 56. As the cutting ofthe blank B progresses, the push button 102 may be actuated by themachine operator to cause the motor 19 to turn the shafts 14 in suchdirection as to cause the platform 16 to lower, thereby feeding theblank B tothe cutting tool 56. As long as the follower arm 60 is in avertical position, light reflected from the lamp 80 will pass betweenthe photoelectric cells 82 and 83, energizing neither of them, with theresult that, at any given instant, the grid of one triode tube 84 willbe biasedvnegatively and its plate positively, whereas the grid of theother triode tube will be biased positively and its plate biasednegatively. As a result, the motor 71 is in a condition of electricalbalance and no movement of the mounting plate 11 takes place. As theplatform 16 is lowered, however, the wall of the finger opening whichreceives the knob 62 will fall away from the latter, thereby enablingthe spring 68 to swing the arm about the axis of the pivot pin 58. Asthe arm swings, the mirror 79 also will swing so as to reiiect lightfrom the lamp 80 to one or the other of the photoelectric cells 82 and83, thereby energizing the affected cell and completing a circuit to themotor 71 to cause it to drive the mounting plate 11 and its associatedparts in one direction or the other tending to restore the arm 60 to itsvertical position. As a result, the knob 62 of the follower device 59will be enabled to follow the contour of the linger opening 50 and sincethe motor 52a follows the movements of the mounting plate 11, theopening 50a drilled in the bowling ball blank will conform to thepreformed opening 50 in the model M. As the drilling operation of theblank B proceeds, the motor 32 may be operated so as slowly to causerotation of the blank B and the model M about the axes of theirrespective shafts 25 and 24. Rotation of the shafts 24 and '25 willassure reproduction in the blank B of the holes formed in the model.

When the platform 16 has been lowered to an extent such that the knob 62of the follower device 59 engages the base of the opening 50 in themodel, further lowering movement of the platform 16 will compress thespring 66 interposed between the arm 60 and the socket part 61 so as toenable the projection 65` to engage the spring switch arm 63 and openthe switch, thereby causing operation of the motor 19 to cease.Thereafter, the motor 19 may be operated in the reverse direction towithdraw the model and the blank in a direction away from the mountingplate 11 so as to free the follower device and the cutting tool from thebores of their respective holes.

When one of the holes 50a has been formed in the blank B, the model Mmay be readjusted relative to the follower vdevice 59, and the blank Badjusted an equal amount to the cutting tool 56, so as to effect thecutting of a second opening 50a in the blank B corresponding to a secondopening 50 in the model M. This procedure may be repeated for as manylinger openings as are to be formed in the blank B. Ultimately, abowling ball such as is shown in FIGURE 5 will be formed with fingeropenings 50a conforming exactly to the openings 50 which were preformedin the model M. In this connection, it is not necessary to conform tothe configuration of the users fingers those regions of the finger holeswhich would be adjacent to the backs of the users fingers when the ballis in use, inasmuch as these regions of the finger holes are not incontact with the users fingers. Accordingly, whenever reference toconformation of the finger holes to a users fingers is made, it isintended to refer to those portions of the finger holes which would lieadjacent to the inner surfaces of the users fingers. However, it is notintended to limit the invention to conforming only the inner portions ofthe finger holes to the users ngers, as the holes may be formed in suchmanner as to approximate the shapes of the users fingers.

The disclosed embodiment is representative of a presently preferredapparatus according to the invention, but is intended to be illustrativerather than definitive thereof. The invention is dened in the claims.

I claim:

l. Apparatus for forming an opening in a workpiece according to thecontour of an opening in a preformed model compiising means forsupporting said model and sa'id workpiece; means mounting saidsupporting means for movement in two planes normal to each other; afollower device; means mounting said follower device for movement alongthe contour of the opening in said model as said model is moved ineither of said planes; a cutting tool engageable with said workpieceupon movement of said supporting means in either of said planes; unitarymeans mounting said follower device and said cutting tool for conjointmovement relative to said supporting means in a plane parallel to one ofsaid two planes and in a direction normal to the direction of movementof said supporting means in either of its planes; and means operativelyconnected to the mounting means for said follower device and said tooland responsive to movement of said model for effecting movement of saidfollower device and said cutting tool in the plane of movement of theirmounting means.

2. Apparatus for forming an opening in a workpiece according to thecontour of an opening in a preformed model comprising means vforsupporting said model and said workpiece; means mounting said supportingmeans for movement in two planes normal to each other; a follower deviceincluding light reflective means; means mounting said follower devicefor movement along the contour of the opening of said model as saidmodel is moved in either of said planes, a cutting tool engageable withsaid workpiece upon movement of said supporting means in either of saidplanes; unitary means mounting said follower device and said cuttingtool for conjoint movement relative to said supporting means in a planeparallel one of said two planes and in a direction normal to thedirection of movement of said supporting means in either of its planes;a source of illumination arranged to illuminate said light reiiectivemeans; and light sensitive means operatively connected to the mountingmeans for said follower device and said tool and responsive to lightreflected by said reflective means for effecting movement of saidfollower device and said cutting tool in the plane of movement of theirmounting means.

3.V Apparatus as set forth in claim 3 including means for rotating saidmodel and said workpiece.

4. Apparatus for forming an opening in a workpiece according to thecontour of an opening in a preformed model comprising a base; a platformmountedon said base for movements towards and away from said base andfor movements parallel to said base; a support; means mounting saidsupport intermediate said platform and said base for movements in twomutually normal directions in a plane parallel to said base; modelsupporting means; means mounting said model supporting means on saidplatform for movement therewith; workpiece supporting means; meansmounting said workpiece supporting means on said platform for movementtherewith and conjointly with the movement of said model supportingmeans; a cutting tool; means mounting said cutting tool on said supportin a position to engage said workpiece and for movement relative theretowith said support; a follower device engageable with said model;mounting means for said follower device on said support and movable withthe latter; means connecting said follower device to its said mountingmeans for movement with the latter and for movement relative to its saidmounting means so as to permit said follower device to follow thecontour `of the opening in said model; and means operatively connectingsaid follower device and said support and responsive to movement of saidfollower device along the contour of the opening in said model formoving said support and consequently said cutting tool an amountproportional to the movement of said follower device.

5. The apparatus set forth in claim 6 including means connected to saidmodel supporting means and to said workpiece supporting means forrotating said model and said workpiece.

6. The apparatus set'forth in claim 6 wherein said operativelyconnecting means comprises light reflective means on said followerdevice; a source of illumination arranged to illuminate said lightreflective device; light sensitive means arranged to receive lightreflected by said reective device; and electrical means operated byreflection of light to said light sensitive means.

7. The apparatus set forth in claim 9 wherein said f ylight sensitivemeans comprises a pair of spaced apart photoelectric cells and whereinsaid light reflective device is so arranged on said follower device thatlight normally is reflected between said cells so as to fall on neither.

8. Apparatus for forming iinger holes in a bowling ball blank inconformity with nger holes in a preformed model, said apparatuscomprising means for supporting said model; means for supporting saidblank; rst mounting means mounting each of said supporting means forconjoint movement in -both vertical and horizontal planes and forconjoint rotation about spaced axes; a movable follower device adaptedto lfollow the contour of a hole formed in said model; a cutting tooladapted to cut a hole in said blank; second mounting means unitarilymounting said follower device and said cutting tool adjacent to saidmodel supporting means and to said blank supporting means respectivelyand for conjoint movement in a horizontal plane in a direction normal tothe directions of movement of each -of said supporting means in each ofthe first mentioned planes; driving means connected to said secondmounting means for driving the latter -to and fro, said driving meansincluding an electric motor in circuit with light sensitive meansoperable upon illumination to supply electric energy to said motor todrive the latter; a source of illumination; and light reilective meanscarried by said follower device and movable with the latter as thefollower device follows the contour of said hole in said model toreflect light from said source to said light sensitive means.

9. Apparatus as set forth in claim l2 including power means connected tosaid first mounting means operable to move the latter vertically towardsand away from said second mounting means.

10. Apparatus as set forth in claim 13 including power cut-oi meanscarriedrby said follower device and connected to said power means fordisabling the latter upon movement of said iirst mounting means adistance corresponding to the depth of the hole in said model.

References Cited in the ile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS

